Noise reduction for a urine suction system

ABSTRACT

An example urine suction device suitable for extracting urine from a urine collection device is disclosed. The suction device can include a housing, a motor disposed within the housing, a pump driven by the motor, an inlet, a speaker, and a controller. The pump can extract urine from a urine collection device. The speaker can be disposed within the housing or external to the housing. The speaker can be oriented as to attenuate noise generated by the pump, the motor, or other components of the urine suction device. The controller can cause the speaker to emit one or more first acoustic waves that at least partially attenuates one or more second acoustic waves generated by at least one of the pump or motor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 63/147,299 filed on Feb. 9, 2021, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein, in its entirety, by this reference.

BACKGROUND

In various circumstances, a person may have limited or impaired mobilitysuch that typical urination processes are challenging or impossible. Forexample, a person may experience or have a disability that impairsmobility. A person may have restricted travel conditions such as thoseexperienced by pilots, drivers, and workers in hazardous areas.Additionally, sometimes urine collection is needed for monitoringpurposes or clinical testing.

In these and other circumstances, a urine collection device can beutilized to collect and retain evacuated urine. After the urine has beenevacuated, the urine may need to be removed from the urine collectiondevice. For example, a urine suction device can be used to remove urineevacuated into the urine collection device.

Devices, systems, and methods which more efficiently, hygienically, anddiscreetly remove or otherwise transport urine can be desirable.

SUMMARY

Embodiments are directed to a urine suction device including a motor, apump, a speaker, and a controller. The pump is configured to be drivenby the motor. The pump is configured to extract urine from a urinecollection device. The controller can be communicatively coupled to thespeaker and configured to cause the speaker to emit one or more firstacoustic waves that at least partially attenuates one or more secondacoustic waves generated by at least one of the pump or the motor.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system fortransporting urine away from a user is disclosed. The system can includea urine collection device, a container, and a suction device coupled tothe urine collection device. The suction device is configured to drawurine from the urine collection device into the container. The urinesuction device can include a motor, a pump, a speaker, and a controller.The pump is configured to be driven by the motor. The controller can becommunicatively coupled to the speaker and configured to cause thespeaker to emit one or more first acoustic waves that at least partiallyattenuates one or more second acoustic waves generated by at least oneof the pump or motor.

Embodiments are directed to a method for discretely transporting urineaway from a user including supplying electrical power to a motor of aurine suction device. While electrical power is being supplied, themotor can actuate a pump of the urine suction device to transport urineaway from the user. The method also includes supplying one or moreelectrical signals to a speaker to generate one or more first acousticwaves. The method also includes emitting the one or more first acousticwaves from the speaker. The one or more first acoustic waves candestructively interfere with one or more second acoustic waves generatedby actuation of the pump.

Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used incombination with one another, without limitation. In addition, otherfeatures and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of thefollowing detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure,wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similarelements or features in different views or embodiments shown in thedrawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a urine suction device coupled to a urinecollection device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a urine suction device and a urinecollection device coupled to a user, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2B is an isometric view of a urine suction device and a urinecollection device coupled to a user, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-section view of a urine suction device,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-section view of a urine suction device,according to another embodiment.

FIG. 3C is a schematic cross-section view of a urine suction device,according to another embodiment.

FIG. 3D is a schematic cross-section view of a urine suction device,according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an example flow diagram of a method for discretelytransporting urine away from a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are directed to urine suction devices suitable fordiscreetly pumping urine from a urine collection device and away fromthe body of a person. The embodiments of the urine suction devicesdescribed herein may be fluidly coupled or otherwise attached to a urinecollection device positioned in a pubic region of a user to collecturine or other fluids expelled by the user. While this disclosureprimarily describes the suction device as a urine suction device, itwill be appreciated that the embodiments disclosed herein can also beutilized to collect other fluids discharged from a user.

In embodiments, the urine suction device includes a housing forming ordefining an interior volume. One or more components of the urine suctiondevice can be at least partially disposed within the interior volume.For example, an electric motor and a pump can be disposed within thehousing and operate to provide a suction force. In some embodiments, thehousing can be omitted. While the urine suction device is operating(e.g., pumping urine from a urine collection device), the pump and/oranother component of the urine suction device can generate an audiblenoise. This noise can be embarrassing and unflattering to the user ofthe urine suction device, especially while the user in a public space orhas company. As such, reducing or eliminating acoustic waves generatedby the urine suction device can be desirable to provide a urine suctiondevice that is more discreet and less obtrusive.

In some embodiments, the suction device can include a housing, a motordisposed within the housing, a pump driven by the motor, an inlet, aspeaker, and a controller. The pump can extract urine from a urinecollection device. More specifically, the inlet can place the urinecollection device and the pump in fluid communication. The speaker canbe positioned within the housing and directed toward the pump toattenuate noise generated by the pump. For example, the controller cancause the speaker to emit one or more first acoustic waves that at leastpartially attenuates one or more second acoustic waves generated by atleast one of the pump or motor. Additionally, or alternatively, thespeaker can be positioned such that the acoustic waves emitted by thespeaker attenuate noise emanating from an exhaust conduit of the pump.

In some embodiments, the speaker can be a first speaker of a set ofspeakers which are positioned within the housing and/or external to thehousing. Optionally, the urine suction device can, in some embodiments,include a sensor, such as a microphone, that is communicatively coupledto the controller and detects one or more characteristics of the noiseemitted from the pump and/or motor (e.g., wavelength, frequency,amplitude, etc.). The controller can thereafter generate electricalsignals that cause the speaker(s) to emit acoustic waves whichdestructively interfere with the noise generated by the motor and/orpump.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a urine suction device 100 coupled to aurine collection device 102. The urine suction device 100 can be coupledto the urine collection device 102 using one or more tubes 104 and acontainer 106. For example, a suction force generated by the urinesuction device 100 can draw urine or other fluids from the urinecollection device 102, through the tube 104, and into the container 106.While this embodiment illustrates the urine suction device 100 and thecontainer 106 as separate and distinct, the container 106 can beincorporated into or retained by the urine suction device 100 in otherembodiments (as shown in FIGS. 2A-3D).

The urine suction device 100 can include a housing 108, a motor 110, apump 112, one or more speakers 114, a controller 116, and a power supply120. In some embodiments, the urine suction device 100 can optionallyinclude one or more sensors 118. The housing 108 can define an internalvolume and one or more of the components of the urine suction device 100(e.g., the motor 110, the pump 112, the one or more speakers 114, thecontroller 116, the sensor 118, the power supply 120 etc.) can bedisposed within the internal volume. For example, one or more recessesor attachment features (not shown) can be molded machined or affixed tothe housing 108 to provide an attachment surface for one or more of thecomponents of the urine suction device 100. As shown in FIGS. 2A-3D thehousing 108 can also form a recess or cavity for retaining the container106. The recess or cavity can engage a base portion of the container 106to retain the container 106 to the urine suction device 100. The housing108 can be assembled using one or more distinct pieces that are adhered,affixed, or otherwise assembled to form the housing 108. For example,the housing 108 can be formed of one or more molded, co-molded,machined, or stamped elements. The housing 108 can be manufactured froma polymer, ceramic, metal, a combination thereof, or any other materialthat can provide the functionality described herein.

While not depicted in FIG. 1, the housing 108 can support one or moreinput devices, such as, buttons, toggles, switches, dials, touchscreens,levers, any combination thereof, or any other input device. The one ormore input devices can cause the urine collection device 102 to alterits operational state, for example, by causing the controller 116 tosupply electrical power to the motor 110 to generate suction via thepump 112. The housing 108 can include various through-holes or apertureswhich accommodate the one or more input components. Additionally, oralternatively, the housing 108 can include various through-holes orapertures which accommodate tubes, wires, or any other fluid orelectrical conduit that may need to extend into the internal volume ofthe housing 108. For example, an electrical cable can extend from anelectrical wall outlet and through an aperture within the housing 108 tothe power supply 120 to electrically power the urine suction device 100.The housing 108 will be further described below with reference to FIGS.2A-3D.

The motor 110 can be any electrical motor capable of operating the pump112 (i.e., causing the pump 112 to generate a negative pressure withinthe container 106 and/or the urine collection device 102). For example,the motor 110 can operate on alternating current (AC) or direct current(DC) and can be a brushless motor or a brushed motor. Additionally, oralternatively, the motor 110 can be DC series motor, a DC shunt motor, astepper motor, a linear motor, a servo motor, a combination thereof, orany other motor capable of the functionality described herein. The motor110 can drive the pump 112 to generate a suction force to draw urine outof the urine collection device 102, through the tube 104, and into thecontainer 106. During operation (e.g., when electrical power is beingsupplied to the motor), the motor 110 can generate noise, such as,acoustic waves resultant of movement and vibration associated withoperation. The motor 110 will be further described below with referenceto FIGS. 2A-3D.

The pump 112 can be any pump capable of generating a suction force whichcan draw urine from the urine collection device 102. For example, thepump 112 can be a rotary lobe or gear pump, a diaphragm pump, a piston,a screw pump, a combination thereof, or any other pump capable of thefunctionality described herein. In some embodiments, the pump 112 caninclude a diaphragm (not shown) that draws air into the pump on a firststroke and exhausts air out of the diaphragm on a second stroke. Thefirst and second strokes of the diaphragm can be actuated by rotation ofthe motor 110. During operation (e.g., when rotation of the motor causesactuation of the pump), the pump 112 can generate noise, such as,acoustic waves resultant of movement and vibration associated withoperation. The pump 112 will be further described below with referenceto FIGS. 2A-3D.

The one or more speakers 114 can emit acoustic waves, which attenuate orprovide a destructive interference with acoustic waves generated by themotor, pump, and/or any other component of the urine suction device 100.For example, the one or more speakers 114 can be communicatively coupledto the controller 116 and emit one or more first acoustic waves having amaxima or amplitude that is partially or completely out of phase with amaxima or amplitude of one or more second acoustic waves generated bythe motor, pump, and/or any other component of the urine suction device100. In some embodiments, the first and second acoustic waves can be outof phase by 180 degrees or about 180 degrees. In some embodiments, thefirst acoustic wave, for example, can be out of phase relative to theone or more second acoustic waves by at least 140 degrees, about 140degrees to about 155 degrees, about 155 degrees to about 170 degrees,about 170 degrees to about 185 degrees, about 185 degrees to about 200degrees, or more than 200 degrees.

The one or more speakers 114 can include any speakers capable ofemitting acoustics waves within a frequency range and amplitude which atleast partially attenuate undesirable noise generated by operation ofthe urine suction device 100. As such, the one or more speakers 114 caninclude one or more full range speakers, subwoofer speakers, mid-rangespeakers, tweeter speakers, any other type of speaker, or a combinationthereof. The one or more speakers 114 can emit one or more frequencieswithin a range of about 20 Hz to about 20 kHz and emit acoustic waveshaving amplitudes within a range of about 10 dB to about 60 dB. The oneor more speakers can at least partially attenuate acoustic frequenciesof about 20 Hz to about 1 kHz. The one or more speakers 114 will befurther described below with reference to FIGS. 2A-3D.

In some embodiments, one or more of the components of the urine suctiondevice 100 can be operably coupled to the controller 116. For example,the controller 116 can be disposed within the internal volume of thehousing 108 and include one or more processors and memory storage havingone or more operational programs stored therein. When executed by theprocessor, the one or more operational programs can cause the urinesuction device 100 to operate. For example, an operational program cancause the one or more speakers 114 of the urine suction device 100 toemit acoustic waves while the pump 112 is operating. In someembodiments, the controller 116 can cause the speaker 114 to remainsilent (e.g., a silent state) while electricity is not being supplied tothe motor 110. Additionally, or alternatively, an operational programcan cause the sensor 118 to detect characteristics of acoustic wavesgenerated by the motor 110 and/or pump 112 (e.g., wavelength, frequency,amplitude, etc.).

The controller 116 can be communicatively coupled to one or more of thecomponents of the urine suction device 100 (e.g., the motor 110, thepump 112, the one or more speakers 114, the sensor 118, the power supply120, etc.). The controller 140 includes one or more operational programsstored therein to control one or more parameters of the urine suctiondevice 100, such as the amplitude, frequency, phase, and other aspectsof the acoustic waves emitted by the one or more speakers 114. The oneor more operational programs include machine readable and executableinstructions to control operation of the urine suction device 100. Thecontroller 116 will be further described below with reference to FIGS.2A-3D.

The sensor 118 can be a single sensor or multiple sensors disposed invarious locations relative to the housing 108. The sensor 118 can becommunicatively coupled to the controller 116 and supply electricalsignals to the controller 116 that are used to generate the acousticwaves emitted by the one or more speakers 114. In some embodiments, thesensor 118 can be a microphone that detects or measures characteristicsof the acoustic waves generated by the motor 110 and/or the pump 112.For example, the sensor 118 can be disposed adjacent an exhaust conduitor outlet of the pump 112 and detect characteristics of the acousticwaves emitting from the exhaust conduit of the pump 112. The sensor 118can be one or more of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)microphone, a condenser-based microphone, a dynamic microphone,piezoelectric-based microphone, any other microphone, or a combinationthereof.

In some embodiments, the controller 116 can analyze the signalsdelivered by the sensor 118 and thereafter generate and deliverelectrical signals to the one or more speakers 114. For example, thecontroller 116 can include software and/or firmware which supportssignal processing techniques, such as, analog or digital signalprocessing. The signals delivered to the speaker 114 can be processed bythe controller 116 to derive alternative signals that cause the speakersto output acoustic waves which destructively interfere with the acousticwaves produced by operation of the pump 112 and/or motor 110. The sensor118 will be further described below with reference to FIGS. 2A-3D.

The power supply 120 may be operably coupled to the controller 116, themotor 110, the pump 112, the one or more speakers 114, the sensor 118,or any other components of the urine suction device 100 to provideelectrical power to the urine suction device 100. For example, the powersupply 120 may include one or more batteries (e.g. lithium-ion,nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, etc.) or portable chargers (e.g.,power banks). The one or more batteries may be rechargeable. Inexamples, the one or more batteries may be modular battery packs, whichmay be removed and replaced. In examples, the one or more batteries havea connection for charging, such as a connection for the portablecharger. The power supply 120 may be a replaceable and rechargeablebattery, such as a 12 volt battery. The rechargeable battery may be alithium ion battery, lithium-ion polymer, a nickel-cadmium battery,nickel-metal hydride, lead acid, etc., batteries. The power supply 120may include a plurality of rechargeable batteries. The rechargeablebattery may be at least a 1 volt battery, such as 1.5 volts to 3 volts,3 volts to 6 volts, 6 volts to 9 volts, 9 volts to 12 volts, 12 volts to15 volts, 15 volts to 24 volts, greater than 12 volts, less than 24volts, or less than 15 volts.

In examples, the power supply 120 may include a cord or wired connectionfor connecting to a power outlet. For example, the power supply 120 mayinclude 110 volt, 220 volt, or similar connections. The cord may allowthe user to plug the urine suction device 100 into a power outlet in aroom, an extension cord, or a power station or power bank (e.g., batterypack or bank). Accordingly, the power supply 120 may include a walloutlet, the extension cord, or a power station or power bank. Inexamples, the power supply 120 may include both a wired connection forcoupling to a power source and a battery pack. Accordingly, the urinesuction device 100 may be run with our without battery power. Inexamples, the wired connection may be provided as a detachable powercord which may be removed from the urine suction device 100. The wiredconnection may serve to recharge the battery pack and provide power tothe urine suction device 100.

The container 106 can be distinct from the urine suction device 100 orreleasably retained on the housing 108 of the urine collection device102 (as shown in FIGS. 2A-3D). The container 106 can be any containercapable of storing urine or other fluids that are extracted from theurine collection device 102 by a suction force applied by the urinesuction device 100. As such, the container 106 can be manufactured ofany rigid or flexible material capable of reliably retaining fluid. Thecontainer 106 can be machined, molded, co-molded, or otherwisemanufactured from any material, such as, a polymer, a metal, a ceramic,or a combination thereof. The container 106 will be further describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 2A-3D.

The urine collection device 102 can be any urine collection devicepresently available or otherwise developed in the future. The urinecollection device 102 may be adapted to extract urine or other fluidsdischarged by female and/or male persons. One suitable non-limitingexample of a urine collection device that can be used is an externalcatheter, available from PureWick, Inc. Any urine collection devicecapable of collecting discharged urine from a male or female user can beutilized with the present disclosure. For example, the urine collectiondevices described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019/0282391 filed 6Jun. 2019 and U.S. Pat. No. 10,390,989 filed 8 Sep. 2016, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein, in their entirety, by thisreference.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show isometric views of a urine suction device 200 and aurine collection device 202, according to an embodiment. Morespecifically, a first tube 204 extends from the urine suction device 200to a container 206 and a second tube 204 extends from the container 206to the urine collection device 202. The urine collection device 202 canbe disposed on a female user 208 (as shown in FIG. 2A) or a male user210 (as shown in FIG. 2B). On female users, the urine collection device202 can be placed between the legs or labia and held snugly against theexternal urethra by the pressure of friction from the user's body, bythe pressure of the legs or by such means as an undergarment, elasticstrips, and/or adhesive tape. In male applications, the urine collectiondevice 202 can be positioned around the penis. The urine suction device200 can generate a negative pressure within the container 206 to draw orextract urine from the urine collection device 202 into the container206.

FIGS. 3A-3D show various non-limiting examples of a urine suction device300, according to an embodiment. Features from any of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be used in combination with one another, withoutlimitation. FIG. 3A shows a schematic cross-section view of the urinesuction device 300, according to some embodiments. The urine suctiondevice 300 can be substantially similar to and can include some or allof the features of the urine suction devices 100 and 200. For example,one or more tubes 304 can place the urine suction device 300 in fluidcommunication with a container 306 and/or a urine collection device (notshown).

The urine suction device 300 can include a housing 308, a motor 310, apump 312, a speaker 314, a controller 316, a sensor 318, and a powersupply 320. The motor 310 can be substantially similar to and caninclude some or all of the features of the motor 110 described withreference to FIG. 1. For example, the motor 310 can drive the pump 312to generate a suction force to draw urine out of the urine collectiondevice (not shown), through the tube 304, and into the container 306.The pump 312 can be substantially similar to and can include some or allof the features of the pump 112 described with reference to FIG. 1. Forexample, the pump 312 can be a rotary lobe or gear pump, a diaphragmpump, a piston, a screw pump, a combination thereof, or any other pumpcapable of the functionality described herein. The controller 316 can besubstantially similar to and can include some or all of the features ofthe controller 116 described with reference to FIG. 1. For example, thecontroller 316 can be communicatively coupled to one or more of thecomponents of the urine suction device 300 (e.g., the motor 310, thepump 312, the one or more speakers 314, a sensor 318, the power supply320, etc.) through electrical traces T. The power supply 320 can besubstantially similar to and can include some or all of the features ofthe power supply 120 described with reference to FIG. 1. For example,the power supply 320 may be operably coupled to the controller 316, themotor 310, the pump 312, the one or more speakers 314, the sensor 318,or any other components of the urine suction device 300 to provideelectrical power to the urine suction device 300.

The housing 308 can be substantially similar to and can include some orall of the features of the housing 108 described with reference toFIG. 1. While the housing 308 is illustrated as having a particularcross-sectional shape, those skilled in the art will appreciate that thecross-sectional shape illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D merely represents oneexample cross-sectional shape of many. Similarly, while the componentsof the urine suction device 300 (e.g., the motor 310, the pump 312, thespeaker 314, the controller 316, and the power supply 320, etc.) areillustrated in respective positions within the housing 308, thoseskilled in the art will readily appreciate that one or more of thecomponents can be positioned elsewhere within the housing 308 orexternal to the housing 308. The housing 308 can form a cavity or recess322 for retaining the container 306. The cavity or recess 322 can have aprofile which substantially matches a base portion of the container 306such that base portion of the container 306 is reliably retained withinthe recess 322.

The container 306 can include a body 324 and a lid 326. The body 324 canretain or store a quantity of fluid, such as, urine or other fluid whichis extracted or pumped from a urine collection device (not shown). Thelid 326 can be affixed to the body 324, for example, by a threadedengagement, a friction fit engagement, a protrusion interlockingengagement, or any other mechanism capable of retaining the lid 326 tothe body 324. The lid 326 can include one or more inlets 328 whichreceive the respective tubes 304 or other fluid conduits and place thecontainer 306 in fluid communication with a urine collection device (notshown) and/or the urine suction device 300. The one or more inlets 328can form respective apertures within the lid 326 to place the container306 in fluid communication with a urine collection device (not shown)and/or the urine suction device 300. While the one or more inlets 328are illustrated as being formed on the lid 326, those having skill inthe art will readily appreciate that one or more inlets 328 canadditionally, or alternatively, be formed on the body 324 of thecontainer 306.

In some embodiments, the pump 312 can intake fluid (e.g., air) throughthe tube 304 and exhaust the fluid through an exhaust conduit 330. Inother words, while the pump 312 is being driven by the motor 310, fluid(e.g., air) can be drawn or sucked into the pump 312 and exhaustedthrough the exhaust conduit 330. This process can generate audibleacoustic waves which signal that urine or other fluid is currently beingdrawn or extracted from the urine collection device. For example,operation of the pump 312 (e.g., oscillating a diaphragm within the pump312) and exhausting fluid through the exhaust conduit 330 can generateacoustic waves which are detectable by persons located near the urinesuction device 300.

The one or more speakers 314 can emit one or more acoustic waves whichat least partially attenuate the acoustic waves generated by the motor310, the pump 312, or a combination thereof. In other words, one or morefirst acoustic waves emitted by the speaker 314 can destructivelyinterfere with one or more second acoustic waves generated by the motor310 and/or pump 312 to reduce or diminish the amplitude of the resultantcombined acoustic waves as to render the one or more second acousticwaves less discernable by persons near the urine suction device 300. Theone or more first acoustic waves can have a first frequency that issimilar or identical to a second frequency of the second acoustic wave,however, the first and second frequencies can be out of phase from oneanother (e.g., 180 degrees out of phase). The one or more first acousticwaves can attenuate or diminish at least 40%, about 40% to about 60%,about 60% to about 80%, or more than 80% of the second acoustic wave. Insome embodiments, the first one or more acoustic waves can attenuate ordiminish the one or more second acoustic waves by at least 1 dB, about 1dB to about 5 dB, about 5 dB to about 10 dB, or more than 10 dB.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3A, the speaker 314 is disposedwithin an internal volume of the housing 308 and directed toward theexhaust conduit 330 such that acoustic wave(s) 332 emitted by thespeaker 314 at least partially attenuate or diminish acoustic wave(s)334 propagating from the exhaust conduit 330 of the pump 312. While thespeaker 314 is illustrated as positioned at a base 336 of the housing308, the speaker 314 may be additionally, or alternatively, positionedon a side wall 338 or ceiling 340 of the housing 308 in someembodiments. The side wall 338 can extend around a periphery of thehousing 308 and extend between the base 336 and the ceiling 340.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3B, multiple speakers 314 aredisposed within the internal volume of the housing 308 and respectivelydirected toward the exhaust conduit 330, the motor 310, and the pump312, such that acoustic wave(s) 332 emitted by the multiple speakers 314at least partially attenuate or diminish acoustic wave(s) 334propagating from the exhaust conduit 330, the motor 310, and the pump312. Each of the multiple speakers 314 can be directed or oriented toemit the acoustic waves 332 in a direction that is perpendicular,oblique, or parallel relative to acoustic waves 334 generated by themotor 310, the pump 312, or the exhaust conduit 330. In other words,each of the multiple speakers 314 can be positioned and oriented withinthe housing 308 to most efficiently diminish or attenuate noisegenerated by the motor 310, the pump 312, the exhaust conduit 330, or acombination thereof. For example, the speaker 314 disposed on the base336 of the housing 308 can be oriented to emit acoustic waves 332 towardthe motor 310 and pump 312 in a first direction while the speaker 314disposed on the side wall 338 of the housing 308 can be oriented to emitacoustic waves 332 toward the motor 310 and the pump 312 in a seconddirection. While the first and second directions are illustrated asperpendicular to one another in FIG. 3B, the first and second directionscan be perpendicular, parallel, or oblique to one another in otherembodiments.

In some examples, each individual speaker of the multiple speakers 314can emit acoustic waves 332 having distinct characteristics (e.g.,wavelength, frequency, amplitude, etc.) from the characteristics ofacoustic waves 332 emitted by the other speaker(s) of the multiplespeakers 314. For example, the speaker 314 coupled to the side wall 338of the housing 308 can emit acoustic waves having at least onecharacteristic that is different than the at least one characteristic ofacoustic waves emitted by the speaker 314 coupled to the base 336 of thehousing 308. In some examples, two or more of the multiple speakers canemit acoustic waves 332 having similar or identical characteristics(e.g., wavelength, frequency, amplitude, etc.).

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3C, multiple speakers 314 and oneor more sensors 318 can be disposed within an internal volume of thehousing 308. The multiple speakers 314 can emit acoustic wave(s) 332 toat least partially attenuate or diminish acoustic wave(s) 334propagating from the motor 310, the pump 312, and/or the exhaust conduit330 of the pump 312. Each of the one or more sensors 318 can becommunicatively coupled to the controller 316 and supply electricalsignals to the controller 316. The controller 316 can analyze theelectrical signals and generate the acoustic waves 332 emitted by themultiple speakers 314. For example, one of the sensors 318 can bedisposed adjacent an exhaust conduit 330 and detect characteristics ofthe acoustic waves 334 emitting from the exhaust conduit 330. In someembodiments, one or more of the sensors 318 can be a microphone thatdetects or measures characteristics of the acoustic waves 334 generatedby the motor 310 and/or the pump 312 and delivers the measurements tothe controller 316. Thereafter, the controller 316 can determine thecharacteristics of the acoustic waves 334 and cause the speakers 314 toemit acoustic waves 332 that most effectively attenuate or diminish theacoustic waves 334. While the sensors 318 are illustrated as beingrespectively positioned near the pump 312 and near the exhaust conduit330 in FIG. 3C, some embodiments can include sensors disposed at otherlocations within or external to the housing 308.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3D, the speaker 314 can bedisposed external to the housing 308 and directed toward a vent 342 suchthat acoustic wave(s) 332 emitted by the speaker 314 at least partiallyattenuate or diminish acoustic wave(s) 334 propagating from the vent342. The vent 342 can be a series of apertures, slots, perforations, acombination thereof, or any other through-hole which places the internalvolume of the housing 308 in fluid communication with an environmentexternal to the housing 308. For example, the vent 342 can be a set ofslots which enable air or other fluid exhausted from the pump 312 toexit the internal volume of the housing 308. Additionally, oralternatively, the vent 342 may provide a fluid path which enables heatgenerated by one or more components within the urine suction device 300(e.g., the motor 310, the pump 312, the controller 316, etc.) to ventthrough the housing 308.

The motor 310, the pump 312, and/or other components of the urinesuction device 300 can generate noise (e.g., the one or more secondacoustic waves 334) which propagates within the internal volume of thehousing 308 and through the vent 342 into the environment external tothe housing 308. One or more speakers 314 can be disposed external tothe housing 308 to emit one or more acoustic waves which at leastpartially attenuate or diminish the acoustic waves generated by themotor 310, the pump 312, and/or other components of the urine suctiondevice 300. For example, as shown in FIG. 3D, the speaker 314 can bedisposed adjacent to the vent 342 and oriented to emit the one or morefirst acoustic waves 332 such that the one or more first acoustic waves332 propagate or travel parallel to the vent 342. While the speaker 314in FIG. 3D is oriented to emit the one or more first acoustic waves 332parallel to the vent 342, the speaker 314 can be additionally, oralternatively, be oriented such that the one or more first acousticwaves 332 propagate or travel perpendicular or oblique to the vent 342.In other words, the one or more speakers 314 can be oriented to emitacoustic waves parallel, perpendicular, or oblique to at least one ofthe base 336, the side wall 338, or the ceiling 340 of the housing 308.

While the example illustrated in FIG. 3D shows a single speaker 314disposed external to the housing 308, other examples can include anadditional, or alternative, speaker 314 disposed within the housing 308and oriented to emit acoustic waves toward the vent 342. In someexamples, the urine suction device 300 can include at least one speaker314 disposed within the housing 308 as well at least one speaker 314positioned external to the housing 308. While the example illustrated inFIG. 3D shows the vent 342 formed or otherwise disposed within the base336 of the housing, other examples can include additional, oralternative, vents 342 disposed within the base 336, the side wall 338,or the ceiling 340.

The one or more speakers 314 can be communicatively coupled to thecontroller 316 through a wired communication path or a wirelesscommunication path. For example, a cable can interconnect the speakers314 and the controller 316 or a wireless protocol such as IEEE 802(i.e., Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless networking technologies) can beutilized to connect the speakers 314 to the controller 316. In someembodiments, one or all of the speakers 314 can be repositionable withinor outside of the housing 308. For example, one or more of the speakers314 can be positioned some distance away from the housing 308 yetoriented toward the housing 308 such that the acoustic waves 332 emittedby the speaker 314 destructively interfere with any acoustic waves 334emanating from the housing 308.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method 400 for discretely transportingurine away from a user using a suction device. The suction device can besubstantially similar to, and can include some or all of the featuresand/or components of the suction devices described herein, such assuction devices 100, 200, 300. For example, the suction device caninclude a motor, a pump, one or more speakers, a controller, a powersupply, one or more sensors, and/or any other component of the othersuction devices disclosed herein.

The method 400 includes the act 402 of supplying electrical power to amotor of a urine suction device, the motor actuating a pump of the urinesuction device to transport urine away from the user. The method 400includes the act 404 of supplying one or more electrical signals to aspeaker to generate one or more first acoustic waves. The method 400includes the act 406 of emitting the one or more first acoustic wavesfrom the speaker, the one or more first acoustic waves destructivelyinterfering with one or more second acoustic waves generated byactuation of the pump. Optionally, the method 400 can include the act408 of suspending the supply of electrical power to the motor.Optionally, the method 400 can include the act 410 of suspending thesupply of the one or more electrical signals to the speaker.

Accordingly, the method 400 can be utilized to discretely transporturine away from a user using a suction device by mitigating or reducingnoise generated by operation of the motor and/or pump within the suctiondevice. The method 400 can include more or fewer acts than the acts402-410. For example, the method 400 may optionally include one or moreacts of measuring an acoustic characteristic of the one or more secondacoustic waves using a sensor of the urine suction device; analyzing theacoustic characteristic using a controller of the urine suction device;and generating, using the controller, the one or more electrical signalssuch that the one or more first acoustic waves is out of phase relativeto the one or more second acoustic waves. In other words, some of theacts are optional and therefore need not be implemented to discretelytransporting urine away from a user using a suction device.

The method 400 includes the act 402 of supplying electrical power to amotor of a urine suction device, the motor actuating a pump of the urinesuction device to transport urine away from the user. In someembodiments, the electrical power can be supplied directly to the motorfrom a power supply. Alternatively, or additionally, the electricalpower can be supplied to the motor through a controller coupled to thepower supply. The motor can be substantially similar to, and can includesome or all of the features and/or components of the motors describedherein, such as motor 110, 310. For example, the motor can operate onalternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) and can be a brushlessmotor or a brushed motor. Additionally, or alternatively, the motor canbe DC series motor, a DC shunt motor, a stepper motor, a linear motor, aservo motor, a combination thereof, or any other motor capable of thefunctionality described herein. Similarly, the pump can be substantiallysimilar to, and can include some or all of the features and/orcomponents of the pumps described herein, such as pumps 112, 312. Forexample, the pump can be a rotary lobe or gear pump, a diaphragm pump, apiston, a screw pump, a combination thereof, or any other pump capableof the functionality described herein.

The method 400 includes the act 404 of supplying one or more electricalsignals to a speaker to generate one or more first acoustic waves. Inembodiments, the controller can supply the electrical signals to thespeaker which generate the one or more first acoustic waves. The speakercan be substantially similar to, and can include some or all of thefeatures and/or components of the speakers described herein, such asspeaker 114, 314. For example, the speaker can be one or more speakersincluding one or more full range speakers, subwoofer speakers, mid-rangespeakers, tweeter speakers, any other type of speaker, or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the electrical power can be supplied tothe motor at the same time (i.e., simultaneously) as the electricalsignals are supplied to the speaker. Alternatively, the electrical powerto the motor can be supplied before or after the electrical signals aresupplied to the speaker.

The method 400 includes the act 406 of emitting the one or more firstacoustic waves from the speaker, the one or more first acoustic wavesdestructively interfering with one or more second acoustic wavesgenerated by actuation of the pump. For example, the speaker can bedirected or oriented to emit the acoustic waves in a direction that isperpendicular, oblique, or parallel relative to the second acousticwaves generated by the motor and/or the pump. In other words, thespeaker can be positioned and oriented to most efficiently diminish orattenuate noise generated by the motor, the pump, or a combinationthereof. The one or more first acoustic waves can destructivelyinterfere with the one or more second acoustic waves, for example, byhaving a maxima or amplitude that is partially or completely out ofphase with a maxima or amplitude of one or more second acoustic waves.

Optionally, the method 400 can include the act 408 of suspending thesupply of electrical power to the motor. Optionally, the method 400 caninclude the act 410 of suspending the supply of the one or moreelectrical signals to the speaker. In some embodiments, the suspensionof electrical power to the motor can occur simultaneously with thesuspension of electrical signals to the speaker. Alternatively, theelectrical power to the motor can be suspended before or after theelectrical signals supplied to the speaker are suspended.

In some embodiments, the method 400 can include the acts of measuring anacoustic characteristic of the one or more second acoustic waves using asensor of the urine suction device; analyzing the acousticcharacteristic using a controller of the urine suction device; andgenerating, using the controller, the one or more electrical signalssuch that the one or more first acoustic waves is out of phase relativeto the one or more second acoustic waves. The acoustic characteristiccan be any property or attribute of the one or more second acousticwaves, for example, wavelengths, frequencies, amplitudes, etc. Thecontroller can include software and/or firmware which supports signalprocessing techniques, such as, analog or digital signal processing toanalyze the acoustic characteristic.

While various embodiments of the urine suction systems and devices havebeen described above, it should be understood that they have beenpresented by way of example only, and not limitation. Those of ordinaryskill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure would recognizethat the ordering of certain steps may be modified and suchmodifications are in accordance with the variations of the invention.Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in aparallel method when possible, as well as performed sequentially asdescribed above. The embodiments have been particularly shown anddescribed, but it will be understood that various changes in form anddetails may be made.

For example, although various embodiments have been described as havingparticular features and/or combinations of components, other embodimentsare possible having any combination or sub-combination of any featuresand/or components from any of the embodiments described herein. Inaddition, the specific configurations of the various components can alsobe varied. For example, the size and specific shape of the variouscomponents can be different than the embodiments shown, while stillproviding the functions as described herein.

1. A urine suction device, comprising: a motor; a pump configured to bedriven by the motor, the pump being configured to extract urine from aurine collection device; a speaker; and a controller communicativelycoupled to the speaker and configured to cause the speaker to emit oneor more first acoustic waves that at least partially attenuates one ormore second acoustic waves generated by at least one of the pump or themotor.
 2. The urine suction device of claim 1, further comprising asensor communicatively coupled to the controller and configured todetect characteristics of the one or more second acoustic waves, the oneor more first acoustic waves including a frequency at least partiallybased on the detected characteristics of the one or more second acousticwaves.
 3. The urine suction device of claim 1, wherein the speaker is afirst speaker and the suction device further includes a second speakercommunicatively coupled to the controller, the controller causing thesecond speaker to emit the one or more first acoustic waves that atleast partially attenuates the one or more second acoustic wavesgenerated by at least one of the pump or the motor.
 4. The urine suctiondevice of claim 1, wherein: the suction device includes a housing andthe speaker is at least partially disposed within the housing; thespeaker attenuates the one or more second acoustic waves by at least 2dB; and the speaker at least partially attenuates acoustic frequenciesof about 20 Hz to about 1 kHz.
 5. The urine suction device of claim 1,wherein: the pump is communicatively coupled to the controller and thecontroller is configured to simultaneously activate the motor and thespeaker; and the controller is configured to silence the speaker whenelectricity is not being supplied to the motor.
 6. The urine suctiondevice of claim 1, wherein: the one or more first acoustic wavesincludes a first frequency; the one or more second acoustic wavesincludes a second frequency; and the first frequency is about 180degrees out of phase with the second frequency.
 7. The urine suctiondevice of claim 1, wherein the pump includes a diaphragm disposed withinthe pump.
 8. A system for transporting urine away from a user, thesystem comprising: a urine collection device; a container; and a suctiondevice coupled to the urine collection device and configured to drawurine from the urine collection device into the container, the suctiondevice comprising: a motor; a pump configured to be driven by the motor;a speaker; and a controller communicatively coupled to the speaker andconfigured to cause the speaker to emit one or more first acoustic wavesthat at least partially attenuates one or more second acoustic wavesgenerated by at least one of the pump or motor.
 9. The system of claim8, wherein the speaker is positioned such that the one or more firstacoustic waves are directed toward the pump.
 10. The system of claim 8,wherein the suction device includes a housing and the motor is poweredby a battery disposed within the housing.
 11. The system of claim 8,wherein the one or more first acoustic waves is emitted toward alocation and the one or more first acoustic waves at least partiallyattenuates the one or more second acoustic waves at the location. 12.The system of claim 8, wherein the suction device includes a ventplacing an interior volume formed by a housing of the suction device influid communication with an ambient environment external to the housing.13. The system of claim 8, wherein the pump includes: a diaphragmdisposed within the pump; and an exhaust conduit configured to exhaustfluid from the pump.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the motorincludes a brushless motor.
 15. The system of claim 8, wherein the oneor more first acoustic waves attenuates at least 50% of the one or moresecond acoustic waves.
 16. A method for discretely transporting urineaway from a user, the method comprising: supplying electrical power to amotor of a urine suction device, the motor actuating a pump of the urinesuction device to transport urine away from the user; supplying one ormore electrical signals to a speaker to generate one or more firstacoustic waves; and emitting the one or more first acoustic waves fromthe speaker, the one or more first acoustic waves destructivelyinterfering with one or more second acoustic waves generated byactuation of the pump.
 17. The method of claim 16, further including:suspending the supply of electrical power to the motor; and suspendingthe supply of the one or more electrical signals to the speaker.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the electrical power is supplied to themotor and the one or more electrical signals are supplied to the speakersimultaneously.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the electrical powersupplied to the motor and the one or more electrical signals supplied tothe speaker are simultaneously suspended.
 20. The method of claim 16,further including: measuring an acoustic characteristic of the one ormore second acoustic waves using a sensor of the urine suction device;analyzing the acoustic characteristic using a controller of the urinesuction device; and generating, using the controller, the one or moreelectrical signals such that the one or more first acoustic waves is outof phase relative to the one or more second acoustic waves.